Lexical Summary mamónas: Mammon, wealth, riches Original Word: μαμωνᾶς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance mammon. Of Chaldee origin (confidence, i.e. Wealth, personified); mammonas, i.e. Avarice (deified) -- mammon. HELPS Word-studies 3126 mammōnás – a Semitic term for "the treasure a person trusts in" (J. Thayer) who is transliterated as "mammon." [3126 (mammōnás) is probably an Aramaic term, related to the Hebrew term ̓aman ("to trust," J. Thayer).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Aramaic origin Definition riches NASB Translation wealth (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3126: μαμωνᾶςμαμωνᾶς (G L T Tr WH), incorrectly Μαμμωνᾶς (Rec. (in Matt.)), μαμωνᾷ (Buttmann, 20 (18); Winer's Grammar, § 8, 1), ὁ, mammon (Chaldean מָאמונָא, to be derived, apparently, from אָמַן; hence, what is trusted in (cf. Buxtof, Lex. chald. talmud. et rabbin. col. 1217f (especially Fischer edition, p. 613f); according to Gesenius (Thesaurus i., 552) contracted from מַטְמון, treasure (Genesis 43:23); cf. B. D., under the word; Edersheim, Jesus the Messiah, 2:269)), riches: Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13 (where it is personified and opposed to God; cf. Philippians 3:19); Luke 16:9, 11. (lucrum punice mammon dicitur, Augustine (de serm. Dom. in monte, 1. ii. c. xiv. (sec. 47)); the Sept. translated the Hebrew אֱמוּנָה in Isaiah 33:6 θησαυροί, and in Psalm 36:3 Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 3126, transliterated mamōnas, denotes material wealth in such a way that it is treated as a personal power competing with devotion to God. The term appears in the teaching of Jesus alone and is always set in antithesis to the true sovereignty of the Lord. Occurrences in Scripture • Matthew 6:24 – within the Sermon on the Mount’s section on single-hearted devotion. In every instance mamōnas is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as “money” or “worldly wealth,” yet Jesus frames it as a rival “master.” Context in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:24) “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money.” The verse follows commands against laying up earthly treasure and precedes teaching on anxiety, forming a cohesive unit: worldly accumulation distracts from wholehearted trust in the Father’s provision. Context in the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13) Jesus exhorts: “Use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9). Far from commending dishonesty, the Lord presses His disciples to handle temporary resources in light of eternity. Faithfulness with what is “least” (mamōnas) tests readiness for “true riches” (Luke 16:11). Personification and Idolatry Jesus treats mamōnas as an alternative lord requiring “service.” The imagery exposes wealth’s capacity to command loyalty, shape priorities, and demand sacrifice—traits that properly belong only to God (Exodus 20:3; 1 John 5:21). By elevating possessions, the heart is divided, resulting in contempt toward God (Matthew 6:24). Theological Significance: Wealth as a Rival Master 1. Exclusive Allegiance: Scripture tolerates no dual ownership of the believer (Romans 6:16-18). Historical Background The Aramaic root behind mamōnas was a common Semitic term for wealth. By the first century, Jewish writings sometimes treated riches figuratively as a power that could enslave. Jesus amplifies this conception, portraying money almost as a false deity competing with Yahweh’s claims. Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Stewardship Teaching: Congregations must be discipled to see money as a tool, not a master. Guidance for Personal Discipleship 1. Regular Giving: First-fruits generosity breaks the grip of greed (Proverbs 3:9-10). Key Cross References Proverbs 23:4-5; Ecclesiastes 5:10; Matthew 19:21-24; Acts 5:1-11; 1 Timothy 6:9-10; James 5:1-5. Forms and Transliterations μαμμωνά μαμωνα μαμωνά μαμωνᾷ μαμωνᾶ μαν μαναα μαναά mamona mamonâ mamōna mamōnâ mamonā̂i mamōnā̂iLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 6:24 N-DNSGRK: δουλεύειν καὶ μαμωνᾷ NAS: serve God and wealth. KJV: God and mammon. INT: to serve and money Luke 16:9 N-GMS Luke 16:11 N-DMS Luke 16:13 N-DMS |
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